The professional dancers for Strictly Come Dancing 2020 has been announced with one noticeable absence.
The BBC dancing show will return to our screens later this year for another spectacular series of Tangos and Tassels.
Reigning champion Oti Mabuse, who won last year’s competition with former Emmerdale hunk Kelvin Fletcher, will be hoping to lift the Glitterball trophy for second year in a row.
While unlucky 2019 runners-up Amy Dowden, who was paired with CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual, and Anton du Beke, who was partnered with EastEnders actress Emma Barton, will be looking to go one further this year and win the show.
Popular pros Aj Pritchard, Aljax Skorjanec, Dianne Buswell, Giovanni Pernice and Janette Manara are returning.
They will be joined by Karen Hauer, Johannes Radebe, Katya Jones, Luba Mushtuk, Nadia Bychkova and Neil Jones.
Gorka Marquez, Graziana Di Prima, Nancy Xu will also be back for the 2020 version of the competition, but it remains unknown whether they will have celebrity partners this year.
Oti Mabuse will be back on the Strictly dancefloor later this year (Image: BBC/Syco/Thames)
BBC Executive Producer, Sarah James, said: “It’s wonderful to welcome back to many talented individuals within this year’s line-up of Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers.
“They are each at the top of their game and as a cast are simply incredible.
“We can’t wait to see what magic they will bring to the ballroom this year.
“Strictly 2020 promises to be an unforgettable series, with more exceptional choreography and world-class dancing.”
Kate Phillips, Controller of BBC Entertainment, said: “We are very proud of Strictly Come Dancing and our professional dancers.
Kevin Clifton has quit the dancing show after seven years on the BBC dancing show (Image: PA)
“They are undoubtedly in a class of their own and they’ll be back in force this Autumn to put our class of 2020 through their paces, providing another series of unmissable TV.”
Further announcements and information, including which danvers will be partnered with celebrity contestants, will be announced later on in the year.
There will be no Kevin Clifton this year after he announced he was quitting the show last week.
The 2018 champion shocked the national last week by revealing that he had quit the show.
Kevin’s ex Karen Hauer will be back on our screens when Strictly returns later this year (Image: GETTY IMAGES)
Announcing his news on social media, Kevin penned: “To the entire Strictly family
“The past seven years have been some of the most wonderful years of my life.
“I am grateful to the BBC and Strictly Come Dancing for giving me the opportunity to have been a part of something truly special.
“Since first being called ‘Kevin from Grimsby’ by Sir Bruce Forsyth in 2013 I have experience the highs of five finals, winning a Guinness World Record on It Takes Two, the Strictly Arena tour glitterball and then the ultimate of winning the 2018 series with Stacey Dooley.
“After finishing the last series with the Children In Need trophy and the Christmas Special I want to leave on a high and have therefore decided the time has come to move on and focus on other areas of my life and career.
Despite fears he may quit the show, Anton du Beke has been confirmed as one of the professional dancers taking part in Strictly this year (Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
“I want to thank all the pros for inspiring me every day as well as all my celebrity partners. The whole team behind the scene have always made the Strictly family what it is and the loveliest show to work for.
“Thank you to anyone who has ever voted for me and my partners. It means the world.
“And a special thank you to Jason Gilkinson for always believing in me.
“To me Strictly always has been and always will be the best show on tv and has been an absolute dream and honour to be part of.
“Pre 2013 I used to watch every week. Now I look forward to returning to being a fan and cheering on my friends to keep dancing.”
Strictly fas were devastated by the news and sent their bet wishes to Kevin following his shock departure from the show.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One later this year
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
